Senior Policy Associate for Child Protection

The Senior Policy Associate for Child Protection will play a leading role in the organization’s advocacy efforts to keep children safe and out of foster care and help children in foster care heal and thrive. The Senior Policy Associate will be responsible for policy research, data analysis, policy development, and executing advocacy strategies to improve the Texas child protection system and ensure families can access the mental health services and other supports they and their children need to stay safely together. The Senior Policy Associate will report to the Director of Child Protection Policy. The position is full-time and based in Austin in a hybrid work environment.

Texans Care for Children is a statewide, non-profit, non-partisan, multi-issue children’s advocacy organization based in Austin, Texas. We develop policy solutions, produce research, and engage Texas community leaders to educate policymakers, the media, and the public about what works to improve the well-being of Texas children and families.

Texans Care for Children is an equal-opportunity employer. We actively seek to build an organization that reflects the diversity of the population we serve.

Responsibilities:

● Monitoring federal and state policy issues and conducting policy research and analysis;

● Identifying policy priorities, developing advocacy campaigns, and implementing legislative and administrative advocacy strategies to improve the child protection and mental health systems in Texas;

● Communicating regularly with community leaders, researchers, youth, families, caregivers, and other experts to understand the current issues facing Texas children and families vulnerable to systems involvement;

● Producing policy briefs, written testimony, presentations, and other policy materials;

● Developing strong relationships and communicating Texans Care for Children’s policy priorities to lawmakers, the public, and the media;

● Collaborating with state advocacy coalitions and regional/local coalitions to implement advocacy strategies;

● Monitor legislative developments and provide timely analysis and updates to organization leadership and stakeholders;

● In partnership with the Director of Child Protection Policy, developing and assisting with project planning and grant materials for funding partners;

● In partnership with the communications team, developing content for campaigns including videos, blogs, op-eds, social media posts, and other materials, as needed.

Requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

● Bachelor’s degree with a focus on public policy, public health, social work, or other relevant field;

● Minimum of six years experience in public policy or other relevant experience. A graduate degree may substitute for two years of experience;

● Subject matter expertise on Child Protective Services and mental health in Texas;

● Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple tasks with initiative;

● Strong writing, research, and data analysis skills;

● Demonstrated ability to work successfully with a diverse group of stakeholders;

● Experience participating in coalitions and developing and executing strategies for moving a policy agenda forward;

● Experience communicating and understanding diverse concerns of people of varied economic, geographic, racial, ethnic, and gender backgrounds; and

● Commitment to the mission of Texans Care for Children and passion for improving the well-being of Texas children.

Benefits

Salary and Benefits: Salary range of $65-70,000. Texans Care for Children offers excellent benefits to full-time employees, including:

● Employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance,

● Employer retirement matching contributions, and

● Paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal time leave